Method and apparatus for product regionalization

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a method of regionalizing a product for specific markets for the purposes of language localization, insuring compliance with local laws and standards, or theft prevention. The method is applicable to goods comprising an initially-sold machine or device and consumable items required by the machine or device. The method comprises regionalizing the consumable items; the first-installed consumable used in the machine or device then causes the machine or device to be regionalized, such that the machine or device subsequently only accepts consumables with the same regionalization. Also disclosed are apparatus to implement the method.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 09/295,080 filed Apr. 20, 1999, entitled “MethodAnd Apparatus For Transferring Information Between A ReplaceableConsumable And A Printing Device,” assigned to the assignee of thepresent invention.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to methods of regionalizing aproduct for specific markets for the purposes of language localization,insuring compliance with local laws and standards, or theft prevention,and apparatus for accomplishing the methods.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] A variety of situations exist in which it is desirable to“regionalize” a product, distinguishing that product from otherwiseidentical products elsewhere. Regionalization can allow a product toautomatically configure related software, such as drivers and usermanuals, to be displayed in a local language. Regionalization can helpdiscourage the use of consumable items related to the product that arenot intended for use in that region (due to non-compliance with localstandards, or local intellectual property rights issues).“Regionalization” may also be used on a local scale to discourage theftof devices, such as within an organization or company, by configuringthe devices to only accept consumables that are available from thatorganization or company.

[0004] Printers are an example of a product where regionalization isattractive. Printers are shipped worldwide, to many countries, to usersof different nationalities. Many users in certain countries and regionshave region-specific needs, such the need to have manuals and driversoftware programs that communicate in the local language. Failure toprovide a local language interface can make it difficult for these usersto properly operate the printer and to understand driver-generatemessages.

[0005] One way to resolve this issue is to customize the printingsystems—that is customize the printer hardware, driver software, andmanuals to each country. This can add significant undesirable overheadcosts for supporting the manufacture of printing systems unique to eachcountry. Further, for manufacturing planning purposes, the demand ofeach individual country must be accurately predicted; otherwise, certaincountries will experience either surpluses or shortages of printingsystems resulting in either lost sales or excess inventory. There isthus a need for a regionalization system that allows products such asprinters to be automatically configured to a particular region withoutunduly increasing production and distribution costs.

[0006] Another use for regionalization is the situation where consumableitems, such as ink cartridges for printers, are not intended fordistribution within certain regions. A particular ink cartridge design,for example, may contain an ink formulation for which the manufacturerdoes not own the local intellectual property rights, or which in someother way does not conform to local laws or standards (or there may betrademark issues related to the cartridge packaging). To help precludethe importation of the consumables into the region, it would be usefulif the printers in the region in some manner declined to accept thecartridges.

[0007] A third use of regionalization is in a local setting, where anorganization or company may own a large number of devices, such asprinters, and wants to insure that the devices don't become targets fortheft. It would be useful if the devices were “regionalized” to onlyaccept consumables, such as ink cartridges, provided by the company ororganization. If the devices were not usable with consumables from anoutside source, the likelihood of theft would be reduced. There is thusa need for methods and apparatus which allow manufacturers anddistributors the ability to simply regionalize devices and consumableitems utilized by the devices in a simple manner that does not incurundue manufacturing and distribution costs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] It is an object of the present invention to provide a method ofregionalizing products. The method is applicable to goods comprising aninitially-sold machine or device and consumable items required by themachine or device. The method comprises regionalizing the consumableitems by writing to a memory device on the consumable; thefirst-installed consumable used in the machine or device then causes themachine or device to be regionalized, such that the machine or devicesubsequently only accepts consumables with the same regionalization.

[0009] It is a further object of the invention to provide apparatus forimplementing the method of regionalization.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010]FIG. 1 is a conceptual block diagram illustrating the presentinvention as applied to an ink jet printer and print cartridges of thepresently preferred embodiment.

[0011] FIGS. 2(a) and 2(b) are flow charts illustrating the logicincorporated into the consumable-utilizing device to implement thepresent invention, with FIG. 2(a) showing the logic followed duringinitial setup of the device, and FIG. 2(b) showing the logic followedwhen a consumable is replaced.

[0012]FIG. 3 depicts a typical printing system with which the presentinvention may be used that incorporates a consumable printing component,shown in a top perspective view with a printer cover open.

[0013]FIG. 4 is an underside plan view of a presently preferred linkingdevice that is integrated into a label for attachment to the consumableprinting component.

[0014]FIG. 5 is a section view taken across lines 5-5 of the label andlinking device shown in FIG. 4.

[0015]FIG. 6 depicts positioning of the label and linking device of FIG.4 onto the consumable printing component.

[0016]FIG. 7 is a simplified block diagram of the linking deviceassociated with the consumable and the printer portion.

[0017]FIG. 8 is an electrical block diagram showing the consumableprinting component linked to either the keying device or a host computerfor transferring information therebetween.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Summary of theInvention

[0018]FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the concept of the presentinvention, showing how consumables and consumable utilizing devices areseparately produced globally, are brought into a regional market, are“regionalized” for the market, and are distributed to consumers withinthe region. The consumable utilizing device may be a printer, plotter,fax machine, copier, a recording device which uses a removable media, ormachinery having components which require periodic replacement due towear (for illustrative purposes, an ink jet printer is shown in FIG. 1).The consumables are the corresponding ink or toner cartridges, recordingmedia, or replacement mechanical assemblies. The invention is applicableto situations where a consumer first acquires a piece of equipment andthen makes recurring purchases of a consumable item required forcontinued use of the equipment. In the applications envisaged for thepresent invention, the consumables are typically produced on vast scaleat multiple facilities around the globe.

[0019] As denoted at 101, consumables, such as ink jet cartridges, areproduced globally and distributed in bulk quantities around the globe.To minimize the cost of production and to avoid the need to preciselypredict the volume demand of individual markets, the consumables arepreferably made to a uniform design. A consumable produced at onefacility is functionally identical to a consumable produced at any otherfacility around the world. A single cartridge 120 is depicted withbroken cross shading to indicate that at this point in the distributionsystem it has yet to be “regionalized”.

[0020] The consumable utilizing device, such as an ink jet printer 110,may similarly be produced at multiple facilities around the world, asdenoted at 102. These may be different facilities, located in differentcountries, than the facilities producing the consumables (the utilizingdevices, the consumables, or both, may also be produced in the region inwhich they are distributed). In the applications envisaged for thepresent invention, the utilizing device arrives at a regional facilityabsent the consumable item, as depicted at 112 by the empty inkcartridge slot.

[0021] It is an aspect of the present invention that the consumablesinclude a memory component which may be altered after manufacture of theconsumable is complete, and which may be read by the utilizing device.In the preferred implementation of the invention, the memory componentis an electronic memory and the consumable includes a wireless link,such that the memory may be altered without the need for a mechanicalelectrical interconnection between the consumable and the utilizingdevice. The wireless link is preferably a radio frequency link, but mayalso be an optical link, a any other type of link that does not requirea physical mechanical connection.

[0022] Alternatively, other memory components may utilized, such as anelectrical component requiring an external electrical connection (see,for example, Bullock, U.S. Pat. No. 5,835,817, Replaceable Part forIntegral Memory for Usage Calibration and Other Data). The memory alsoneed not be electronic; any simple mechanical device having more thanone state, or any mechanism which may be simply altered duringregionalization, with the alteration later detectable by the utilizingdevice, may be used.

[0023] In the presently preferred implementation, the memory device andwireless data link on the consumable are shared with other circuitryused for monitoring the consumable status (such as an indication of theremaining ink volume), and compatibility information (such as color dataand model number information). The memory device and wireless data linkare attached to the consumable as part of a label assembly adhesivelyapplied to the consumable. When the consumables are prepared fordistribution within a geographic region, they are regionalized byaltering the included memory components with region keying device 130.Typically regionalization would occur at a regional packaging anddistribution center. The keying device alters the content of theconsumable memory by writing a “region tag” to the memory. As depictedin FIG. 1, the preferred embodiment keying device 130 is wireless,emitting an electronic signal which alters the memory within theconsumable 120 a. The wireless keying of the consumable makes itunnecessary to remove the consumable from the protective overwrap placedon the consumable during manufacture. The consumable memory and keyingdevice will be discussed further, below.

[0024] Preparing the utilizing device for a regional market willtypically involve repackaging the device with region-specific packagingand user information, such as manuals written in the local language(alternatively, where regionalization is used for language localization,a CD-ROM may be included having drivers and manuals in many languages,with the initial regionalization of the device automatically selectingthe appropriate language). A printer, for example, may be boxed as at110 a, with a consumable 120 c included in the box. Under the presentinvention, the consumable included in the package with the utilizingdevice is preferably a regionalized consumable, as indicated at 120 band 120 c, which has been “keyed” to the local region. Alternatively, insome types of devices it may be desirable to actually install aconsumable into the device.

[0025] Other regionalized consumables go into the regional distributionchannels as replacement consumables, as indicated at 120 d. Theconsumables may be repackaged for sale in small or individualquantities.

[0026] It is envisioned that, under the preferred embodiment of theinvention, a consumer will receive the utilizing device (such as an inkjet printer 110 b), and, as part of installation and setup of the devicewill install the consumable packaged with the device (such as the inkjet cartridge 120 e). Alternatively, the consumer may purchase aregionalized consumable through normal distribution channels. Theconsumer then supplies power to the utilizing device, and the utilizingdevice reads the memory of the consumable to determine the regioninformation.

[0027]FIG. 2(a) is a flowchart illustrating the logic incorporated intothe consumable-utilizing device to implement the present invention,showing the steps followed during initial setup of the device. Mostdevices such as printers, plotters, fax machines and the like include acontroller such as a microprocessor, and the logic illustrated in FIG.2(a) would be implemented as part of the initialization routinesexecuted by the microprocessor when the device is initially powered.

[0028] When power is first applied to the utilizing device, informationstored in nonvolatile form would indicate to the device that regionalinitialization is required (or similar information would be communicatedto the device, such as from the computer to which the device isconnected, when the software driver for the device is installed). Theprocessor of the device would begin the initialization process 210.

[0029] The utilizing device reads the region tag of the first installedconsumable 212, which in the preferred implementation is the consumablepackaged with the device at the regional packaging center.

[0030] It is anticipated that not all geographic regions would receiveregionalized products. In those markets where regionalization would givelittle benefit, the preferred embodiment of the invention anticipatesthat the consumables available in the normal chain of distribution wouldun-regionalized or “global” consumables.

[0031] If the first installed consumable is not regionalized 214, thedevice sets its own non-volatile region tag to “global” 216, indicatingthat it will henceforth accept all non-regionalized consumables. If theconsumable is regionalized, the utilizing device sets its own region tagto the region of the consumable 218, indicating that it will henceforthonly accept consumables having that same region tag.

[0032]FIG. 2(b) is a flowchart illustrating the logic followed byutilizing device when a consumable is replaced 220 (the actual checkingof the consumable region tag could occur at any reasonable point, suchas anytime power is applied to the utilizing device).

[0033] In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the device thensimply requires that the region tag of the consumable match the regiontag in the device memory 226, and accepts 228 the or rejects 230 theconsumable accordingly, regardless of whether the device is “global” or“regionalized” (thus skipping the decision box 222).

[0034] In an alternative embodiment, indicated by the dashed outlines at222 and 224, the utilizing device first determines whether its ownregion tag is set to “global” 222. If global, the device will accept anyconsumable 224, regardless of region. If the utilizing device isregionalized, it then determines if the consumable region tag matchesits own region tag. If yes, the device accepts the consumable 228. Ifno, the device rejects the consumable 230.

[0035] Rejecting the consumable may mean that the device does notfunction, that it generates an error indication, or that it partiallyfunctions or functions in an alternate or degraded mode.

[0036] To protect the consumer from having a permanently disabled ordegraded device, the preferred implementation of the inventionanticipates a recovery path, as indicated by the dashed line in FIG.2(b). This path may involve the consumer contacting the manufacturer ofdistributor to obtain a key to override and reset the regionalizationsetting 232 of his device, using cryptography techniques well-known inthe art. The device may then return to the initial deviceregionalization state of FIG. 2(a).

[0037] In some applications to which the present invention isapplicable, the device into which the consumable is installed may nothave an internal processor and memory, or the ability to detect theregionalization of the consumable item, but is associated with equipmenthaving the requisite capabilities. For example, a piece of mechanicalmachinery may not have an internal processor, but is connected to acontroller having a processor, memory, and an ability to determine theregion keying of a consumble.

The Presently Preferred Implementation

[0038] Although it is anticipated that the invention will find use inmany fields and is not limited to its use with printers, the presentlypreferred implementation of the invention involves the regionalizationof ink jet cartridges and printers.

[0039]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a typical printing system 10 withthe present invention may be used, shown with its cover open. Theprinting system 10 includes a printer portion 12 and one or morereplaceable printing components 14, such as ink cartridges, installedtherein. The printer portion 12, together with the replaceable printingcomponent(s) 14, accomplish printing on print media. Each consumable 14includes a linking device 16 for exchanging status information betweenthe printer portion 12 and the consumable 14. The use of the linkingdevice 16, together with a corresponding linking device (not shown)associated with the printer portion 12, allows the printer portion 12 tomonitor status of the replaceable printing components 14, and to readthe included memory component.

[0040] In one preferred embodiment, the printing system 10 is an ink jetprinting system. For the ink jet printing system 10 shown in FIG. 3, theconsumable 14 is an ink reservoir that is in fluid communication with anink jet printhead. Each of the replaceable printing components 14 or inkreservoirs are installed in a scanning carriage 18 that is movedrelative to print media. The ink jet printer portion 12 includes a mediatray for receiving print media 22. As media step through a print zone,the scanning carriage moves the replaceable printing components 14 andprintheads relative to the print media 22. The printer portion 12selectively activates the printhead portion associated with thereplaceable printing components 14 to deposit ink on print media tothereby accomplish printing.

[0041] The printing system shown in FIG. 3 is shown with two replaceableprinting components 14, one representing an ink reservoir havingseparate chambers containing cyan, magenta and yellow inks, and onerepresenting an ink reservoir containing black ink. The replaceableprinting components 14 are used together to accomplish 4-color printing.The method and apparatus of the present invention are also applicable toprinting systems 10 that make use of other arrangements such as printingsystems that use greater or less than 4 ink colors, as in high fidelityprinting which typically use 6 or more ink colors. In either case, theprinting system 10 includes one or more replaceable printing components14, each having a linking device 16 associated therewith for providingstatus and regionalization information to the printer portion 12.

[0042] The method- and apparatus of the present invention is applicableto ink jet printing systems 10 having other configurations than thoseshown in FIG. 3. For example, the replaceable printing component 14 canbe a printhead portion mounted on the scanning carriage 18, or aseparate ink reservoir portion mounted off the scanning carriage that isin fluid communication either intermittently or continuously with theprinthead portion. In this case, each of the printhead portion and theink reservoir portion is a separate replaceable printing component 14.The ink reservoir portion is replaced when the ink is exhausted and theprinthead portion is replaced at the end of life. Although it isanticipated that only the ink reservoirs will be regionalized, thetechniques of the present invention may be applied to other replaceablecomponents, such as printheads. The present invention is also suitablefor use with any component that is subject to wear or is replacedperiodically, such as motors and service stations for servicing theprinthead, to name a few. The present invention allows theregionalization of each of these replaceable printing components 14 tobe determined by the printer portion 12.

[0043] In the presently preferred implementation, the memory componentand wireless link used for regionalization information of an ink jetcartridge is shared with circuitry providing the printer with otherinformation about the cartridge, such as a determination of theremaining ink supply in the cartridge and other status and compatibilityinformation.

[0044]FIG. 4 is a representation of the electronic components 44 of thelinking device 16. In the presently preferred implementation, theelectronic components 44 are placed on a label containing sensors fordetecting the remaining ink supply and then affixed to the inkreservoir, as described below.

[0045] The electronic components 44 comprise an integrated circuit 90which is die bonded and wire bonded to a fiberglass substrate 92, andthen encapsulated in epoxy. A printed circuit antenna 94 is formed onthe fiberglass substrate to receive data and power and to transmit data.

[0046]FIG. 5 shows the electronic components 44 of the linking device 16attached to the label portion by an adhesive 48 which securely binds thelink 44 to the label 46. A sensor 42 for detecting the remaining inksupply is defined by depositing conductive in on the label 46 to formelectrodes. The sensor 42 or electrodes are electrically connected tothe electronic components 44 so that remaining ink status information isprovided to the electronic components 44.

[0047]FIG. 6 shows the linking device 16 partially positioned on theconsumable 14. The linking device 16 is attached to the ink reservoir 24with application of the label 46 to the ink reservoir 24. The sensors 42for detecting the remaining ink supply fold down on either side of theconsumable housing 24. Electrical contacts 50 provide interconnectionbetween the sensors and the electronic components 44. On a side of thelabel opposite the sensor 42, product identification information can beprinted. Also indicated for reference in FIG. 6 is the consumable inkfluid outlet 28. FIG. 7 is a simplified block diagram of the printingsystem 10 of the present invention shown connected to an informationsource or host device 56. The information source 56 provides informationsuch as image descriptions to the printing system 10 for printing onprint media. The information source 56 includes a control device 58, aninput device 60, and a display device 62. The control device 58 is amicroprocessor, a microprogram device, or a hardware implemented device.The control device 58 is connected to a display device 62 such as amonitor and receives input from the input device 60 such as a keyboard.The information source 56 can be any source of information that isacceptable to the printing system 10 such as a personal computer, workstation, web appliance, digital camera or server, to name a few.

[0048] The printing system 10 includes a control device 64 for receivingimage information from the information source 56 and controlling aprinter mechanism 66 accordingly for forming images on print media. Thecontrol device 64 associated with the printing system 10 in the case ofan inkjet printer formats image information and stores this imageinformation for controlling various printing system 10 functions toaccomplish printing. These printing system 10 functions includecontrolling the motion of the scanning carriage 18, controlling themedia feed to step print media 22 through the print zone, and activatingthe printhead 38 to deposit ink on print media 22 so as to form an imageon this media which corresponds to the image information received fromthe information source.

[0049] The printing system 10 includes the linking device 16 associatedwith the replaceable printing component 14. The linking device 16includes the link 44. In one preferred embodiment, the linking device 16includes an electrical storage device 68 such as a semiconductor memorythat is electrically connected to the link 44. The link 44 together witha corresponding link 70 that is electrically connected to the controldevice 64, allows information to be transferred between the linkingdevice 16 and the printing system 10 without direct electrical contact.The link 44 associated with the replaceable printing component and thelink 70 associated with the printing system 10 do not require electricalinterconnects to pass information therebetween.

[0050] Among the information passed between the link 44 and the link 70are the regionalization information and consumable status information.This status information includes marking material status such as a lowink signal or a signal indicative of remaining ink. In addition,information regarding various parameters associated with the replaceableprinting component 14 that are stored in the electrical storage device68 can be passed between links 44 and 70.

[0051] The status of the replaceable printing component 14 can beretrieved either under control of the control device 64 such as atdevice initialization, at periodic intervals, or status can be requestedby the customer. The customer can request status of the replaceableprinting component 14 either through the information source 56 orthrough the use of an input device such as a switch associated with theprinting system that provides a request through the control device 64.In response to the request for a replaceable printing component 14status, the control device 64 retrieves status information either forprinting this information using the printer mechanism 66 or displayingthis information using the display device 62 associated with theinformation source 56.

[0052]FIG. 8 depicts further detail of the link device 44 on theconsumable and the corresponding link device on either the regionalkeying device 130 or the host printer system 10. The linking device 70associated with the keying device 130 or host printer system 10 includesa serial controller 72, a radio frequency interface 74, and an antenna76. The serial controller 72 controls the transfer of informationbetween the control device 64 and the radio frequency interface 74. Theserial controller 72 is preferably a microprocessor, a programmablecontroller or a hardware implemented controller that performs thenecessary interface and data manipulation functions for passinginformation between the control device 64 and the radio frequencyinterface 74. Information transferred between the control device 64 andthe serial controller 72 includes command information for requestingstatus as well as the status information itself. This commandinformation is provided to the linking device 16, whereupon the linkingdevice 16, provides the requested status information. In one preferredembodiment, information is transferred between the serial controller 72and the control device 64 in a parallel format, and information istransferred between the serial controller 72 and the radio frequencyinterface 74 in a serial format.

[0053] The radio frequency interface 74 receives information from theserial controller 72 in a serial fashion and converts this informationinto time varying voltages at the antenna 76. These time varyingvoltages are preferably in a standard radio frequency range such as 125kilohertz to 13.56 megahertz. Radio frequencies outside this range mayalso be suitable. Transmission of information using a radio frequencytechnology is used in financial transaction cards provided by financialinstitutions for various types of transactions such as banking and usingdebit cards and credit cards. These financial transaction cards aresometimes referred to as “smart cards”. Similar technology is also usedin inventory systems that are sometimes referred to as radio frequencyidentification (RFID) technology.

[0054] The link 44 associated with the linking device 16 is similar tothe link device 70 associated with the regional keying device 130 orprinting system 10. The link 44 includes a serial controller 78, a radiofrequency interface 80 and an antenna 82, each of which are similar tocorresponding features of the link 70. The voltages are induced onantenna 82 in response to time varying voltages provided to antenna 76.Information is extracted from the time varying voltages induced onantenna 82 by the radio frequency interface 80. Information is passedfrom the radio frequency interface 80 to the serial controller 78. Inresponse to command information, the serial controller 78 can storeinformation such as regionalization data or ink level information in theelectrical storage device 68. In addition, in response to commandinformation, the serial controller retrieves information from theelectrical storage device 68. The information such as regionalizationdata or ink level information is transferred to the serial controller 78to be sent to the link 70 associated with the printer portion 12 in amanner similar to the transfer of information from the link 70 to link44.

[0055] In the preferred embodiment, each of the link 44 and theelectrical storage device 68 associated with the linking device 16 iseither an active device powered by a battery or a passive device thatstores energy in a storage device such as a capacitor. In the case of apassive device, energy is provided to the capacitor by voltages inducedon the antenna 82. In the preferred embodiment, voltages are induced onthe antenna 82 due to time varying voltages that are applied to theantenna 76 by the radio frequency interface 74. The induced voltage atthe antenna 82 is provided to a power conditioner 84 which convertsthese time varying voltages into a single polarity voltage that issuitable as a supply voltage for each of the electrical storage device68, the serial controller 78 and the radio frequency interface 80. Inone preferred embodiment, the power conditioner 84 rectifies a timevarying voltage that is induced on the antenna 82 and filters thisrectified voltage to provide a suitable supply voltage.

[0056] To power the link 44, a time varying electromagnetic fieldinduces a voltage on antenna 82. The modulation of this time varyingelectromagnetic field allows information to be transferred to the link44. For example, a carrier signal can be provided by the link 70 toinduce a time varying voltage at antenna 82. This time varying voltageis rectified and filtered by the power conditioner 84 to provide asupply voltage to the link 44 and electrical storage device 68. Theradio frequency interface 74 modulates the carrier signal such that byvarying the frequency, phase or amplitude, information is transmitted tothe link 44. The modulation of the carrier signal allows the radiofrequency interface 80 to extract information from the carrier signal.Information is transferred in a similar manner from the link 44 back tothe link 70. Use of a power conditioner 84 on the link 44 eliminates theneed for a direct power and ground connection between the linking device16 and the printing system 10.

[0057] The present invention is applicable to a variety of other typesof printing systems as well. For example, the present invention issuitable for use with electrophotographic printing systems. In the caseof electrophotographic printing systems, the replaceable printingcomponent is a replaceable component such as a supply of printingmaterial usually referred to as a toner cartridge.

[0058] In operation, the control device 64 associated with the printingsystem 10 requests status of the replaceable printing component 14. Thereplaceable printing component determines its status by using a sensor42 such as an ink level sensor, or retrieves the requested informationfrom memory 68. The link 44 then transmits the status information to thelink 70. The link 70 then provides the status information to the controldevice 64. The control device 64 responds to the status informationaccordingly. For example, upon an out-of-ink condition, the controldevice 64 notifies the customer of this condition so that thereplaceable printing component 14 can be replaced.

[0059] The use of the linking device 16 is a relatively low cost methodfor determining status such as ink level condition of a replaceable inkreservoir 34. The linking device 16 is added to the ink reservoir usinga relatively low cost manufacturing technique of applying a label to theink reservoir. This technique does not require a high degree ofalignment, nor does this system require difficult manufacturing steps.

[0060] The above is a detailed description of particular embodiments ofthe invention. It is recognized that departures from the disclosedembodiments may be within the scope of this invention and that obviousmodifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. It is theintent of the applicant that the invention include alternativeimplementations known in the art that perform the same functions asthose disclosed. This specification should not be construed to undulynarrow the full scope of protection to which the invention is entitled.

[0061] The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents ofall means or step plus function elements in the claims below areintended to include any structure, material, or acts for performing thefunctions in combination with other claimed elements as specificallyclaimed.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of regionalizing a manufactured deviceand consumable items utilized by the device, the device having anassociated memory and the consumable items each having an informationretaining mechanism, comprising the steps of: a) for each consumableitem distributed within a region, configuring the information retainingmechanism in a manner which uniquely identifies the region; then b)installing in the device a consumable item having an informationretaining mechanism configured for the region; and then c) transferringthe region identification information from the consumable iteminformation retaining mechanism to the memory associated with the deviceand storing the information therein.
 2. The method of regionalizing amanufactured device and consumable items utilized by the device of claim1 , wherein the memory associated with the device is an electronicmemory within the device.
 3. The method of regionalizing a manufactureddevice and consumable items utilized by the device of claim 2 , whereinthe information retaining mechanism of each of the consumable items isan electronic memory, the step of configuring the information retainingmechanism in a manner which uniquely identifies the region compriseswriting the region identification information to the electronic memory,and the step of transferring region identification information from theconsumable item to the electronic memory within the device compriseselectronically reading the information from the electronic memory of theconsumable item and electronically writing the information to theelectronic memory within the device.
 4. The method of regionalizing amanufactured device and consumable items utilized by the device of claim3 , wherein the device further has an associated wireless communicationslink in data communication with the associated memory and the consumableitems each further comprise a wireless communications link in datacommunication with the electronic memory, and electronically reading theinformation from the electronic memory of the consumable is accomplishedover the wireless links.
 5. The method of regionalizing a manufactureddevice and consumable items utilized by the device of claim 4 , whereinthe information retaining mechanism of each of the consumable items isan electronic memory, the step of configuring the information retainingmechanism in a manner which uniquely identifies the region compriseswriting the region identification information to the electronic memory,and the step of transferring region identification information from theconsumable item to the electronic memory within the device includeselectronically reading the information from the electronic memory of theconsumable item.
 6. The method of regionalizing a manufactured deviceand consumable items utilized by the device of claim 3 , whereinelectronically reading the information from the electronic memory of theconsumable is accomplished over a wireless link.
 7. The method ofregionalizing a manufactured device and consumable items utilized by thedevice of claim 1 , wherein the device further comprises a printer andthe consumable items further comprise printer consumables.
 8. The methodof regionalizing a manufactured device and consumable items utilized bythe device of claim 7 , wherein the printer is an ink jet printer andthe printer consumables are ink jet cartridges.
 9. A method ofregionalizing a manufactured device and consumable items utilized by thedevice, the device having an associated memory and an associatedwireless communications link in data communication with the associatedmemory, and the consumable items each having an electronic memorycomponent and a wireless communications link in data communication withthe electronic memory component, comprising the steps of: a) for eachconsumable item distributed within a region, configuring the electronicmemory component in a manner which uniquely identifies the region; thenb) installing in the device a consumable item having a memory componentconfigured for the region; and then d) transferring the regionidentification information from the consumable item electronic memorycomponent over the wireless communication links to the memory associatedwith the device and storing the information therein.
 10. The method ofregionalizing a manufactured device and consumable items utilized by thedevice of claim 9 , wherein the device further comprises a printer andthe consumable items further comprise printer consumables.
 11. Themethod of regionalizing a manufactured device and consumable itemsutilized by the device of claim 10 , wherein the printer is an ink jetprinter and the printer consumables are ink jet cartridges.
 12. A methodof regionalizing a manufactured device and consumable items utilized bythe device, the device having an associated memory and the consumableitems each having an information retaining mechanism, comprising thesteps of: a) for each consumable item distributed within a region,configuring the information retaining mechanism in a manner whichuniquely identifies the region; then b) installing in the device aconsumable item having an information retaining mechanism configured forthe region; then c) transferring the region identification informationfrom the consumable item information retaining mechanism to the memoryassociated with the device and storing the information therein; and forsubsequent consumable item installed in the device, d) testing theinformation retaining mechanism of the subsequently installed consumableitem to determine the region identification information containedtherein; then e) comparing the region identification of the subsequentlyinstalled consumable with the region identification stored in memory,and then f) if the region identifications do not match, declining thesubsequently installed consumable.
 13. The method of regionalizing amanufactured device and consumable items utilized by the device of claim12 , wherein the memory associated with the device is an electronicmemory within the device.
 14. The method of regionalizing a manufactureddevice and consumable items utilized by the device of claim 13 , whereinthe information retaining mechanism of each of the consumable items isan electronic memory, the step of configuring the information retainingmechanism in a manner which uniquely identifies the region compriseswriting the region identification information to the electronic memory,and the step of transferring region identification information from theconsumable item to the electronic memory within the device compriseselectronically reading the information from the electronic memory of theconsumable item and electronically writing the information to theelectronic memory within the device.
 15. The method of regionalizing amanufactured device and consumable items utilized by the device of claim14 , wherein the device further has an associated wirelesscommunications link in data communication with the associated memory andthe consumable items each further comprise a wireless communicationslink in data communication with the electronic memory, andelectronically reading the information from the electronic memory of theconsumable is accomplished over the wireless links.
 16. The method ofregionalizing a manufactured device and consumable items utilized by thedevice of claim 12 , wherein the information retaining mechanism of eachof the consumable items is an electronic memory, the step of configuringthe information retaining mechanism in a manner which uniquelyidentifies the region comprises writing the region identificationinformation to the electronic memory, and the step of transferringregion identification information from the consumable item to theelectronic memory within the device includes electronically reading theinformation from the electronic memory of the consumable item.
 17. Themethod of regionalizing a manufactured device and consumable itemsutilized by the device of claim 16 , wherein the device further has anassociated wireless communications link in data communication with theassociated memory and the consumable items each further comprise awireless communications link in data communication with the electronicmemory, and electronically reading the information from the electronicmemory of the consumable is accomplished over the wireless links. 18.The method of regionalizing a manufactured device and consumable itemsutilized by the device of claim 12 , wherein the device has anassociated user interface allowing messages to be displayed to a userand also allowing responses to be input by the user, and the step ofdeclining the consumable comprises notifying the device user of anincompatibility and requiring a specific response to be input by theuser.
 19. A method of regionalizing a manufactured device and consumableitems utilized by the device, the device having an associated memory andan associated user interface for receiving user input and displayingoutput, and the consumable items each having an information retainingmechanism, comprising the steps of: a) for each consumable itemdistributed within a region, configuring the information retainingmechanism in a manner which uniquely identifies the region; then b)installing in the device a consumable item having an informationretaining mechanism configured for the region; and then c) transferringthe region identification information from the consumable iteminformation retaining mechanism to the memory associated with the deviceand storing the information therein.
 20. The method of regionalizing amanufactured device and consumable items utilized by the device of claim19 , wherein the associated user interface for receiving user input anddisplaying output is operable to receive input and display out in aplurality of natural languages, and wherein the language used for inputand output is selected based upon the region identification informationstored in memory.
 21. A method of regionalizing a manufactured deviceand consumable items utilized by the device, the device having anassociated memory and the consumable items each having an informationretaining mechanism, comprising the steps of: a) providing fordistribution within the region consumable items each having theinformation retaining mechanism configured in a manner which uniquelyidentifies the region; then b) installing in the device a consumableitem having an information retaining mechanism configured for theregion; and then e) transferring the region identification informationfrom the consumable item information retaining mechanism to the memoryassociated with the device and storing the information therein.
 22. Themethod of regionalizing a manufactured device and consumable itemsutilized by the device of claim 21 , wherein the memory associated withthe device is an electronic memory within the device.
 23. The method ofregionalizing a manufactured device and consumable items utilized by thedevice of claim 22 , wherein the information retaining mechanism of eachof the consumable items is an electronic memory, the step of configuringthe information retaining mechanism in a manner which uniquelyidentifies the region comprises writing the region identificationinformation to the electronic memory, and the step of transferringregion identification information from the consumable item to theelectronic memory within the device comprises electronically reading theinformation from the electronic memory of the consumable item andelectronically writing the information to the electronic memory withinthe device.
 24. The method of regionalizing a manufactured device andconsumable items utilized by the device of claim 23 , wherein the devicefurther has an associated wireless communications link in datacommunication with the associated memory and the consumable items eachfurther comprise a wireless communications link in data communicationwith the electronic memory, and electronically reading the informationfrom the electronic memory of the consumable is accomplished over thewireless links.
 25. The method of regionalizing a manufactured deviceand consumable items utilized by the device of claim 24 , wherein theinformation retaining mechanism of each of the consumable items is anelectronic memory, the step of configuring the information retainingmechanism in a manner which uniquely identifies the region compriseswriting the region identification information to the electronic memory,and the step of transferring region identification information from theconsumable item to the electronic memory within the device includeselectronically reading the information from the electronic memory of theconsumable item.
 26. The method of regionalizing a manufactured deviceand consumable items utilized by the device of claim 23 , whereinelectronically reading the information from the electronic memory of theconsumable is accomplished over a wireless link.
 27. The method ofregionalizing a manufactured device and consumable items utilized by thedevice of claim 21 , wherein the device further comprises a printer andthe consumable items further comprise printer consumables.
 28. Themethod of regionalizing a manufactured device and consumable itemsutilized by the device of claim 27 , wherein the printer is an ink jetprinter and the printer consumables are ink jet cartridges.
 29. A methodof regionalizing a manufactured device and consumable items utilized bythe device, the device having an associated memory and an associatedwireless communications link in data communication with the associatedmemory, and the consumable items each having an electronic memorycomponent and a wireless communications link in data communication withthe electronic memory component, comprising the steps of: a) providingfor distribution within the region consumable items each having theelectronic memory component configured in a manner which uniquelyidentifies the region; then b) installing in the device a consumableitem having a memory component configured for the region; and then f)transferring the region identification information from the consumableitem electronic memory component over the wireless communication linksto the memory associated with the device and storing the informationtherein.
 30. The method of regionalizing a manufactured device andconsumable items utilized by the device of claim 29 , wherein the devicefurther comprises a printer and the consumable items further compriseprinter consumables.
 31. The method of regionalizing a manufactureddevice and consumable items utilized by the device of claim 30 , whereinthe printer is an ink jet printer and the printer consumables are inkjet cartridges.
 32. A method of regionalizing a manufactured device andconsumable items utilized by the device, the device having an associatedmemory and the consumable items each having an information retainingmechanism, comprising the steps of: a) providing for distribution withinthe region consumable items each having the information retainingmechanism configured in a manner which uniquely identifies the region;then b) installing in the device a consumable item having an informationretaining mechanism configured for the region; then c) transferring theregion identification information from the consumable item informationretaining mechanism to the memory associated with the device and storingthe information therein; and for subsequent consumable item installed inthe device, d) testing the information retaining mechanism of thesubsequently installed consumable item to determine the regionidentification information contained therein; then e) comparing theregion identification of the subsequently installed consumable with theregion identification stored in memory, and then f) if the regionidentifications do not match, declining the subsequently installedconsumable.
 33. The method of regionalizing a manufactured device andconsumable items utilized by the device of claim 32 , wherein the memoryassociated with the device is an electronic memory within the device.34. The method of regionalizing a manufactured device and consumableitems utilized by the device of claim 33 , wherein the informationretaining mechanism of each of the consumable items is an electronicmemory, the step of configuring the information retaining mechanism in amanner which uniquely identifies the region comprises writing the regionidentification information to the electronic memory, and the step oftransferring region identification information from the consumable itemto the electronic memory within the device comprises electronicallyreading the information from the electronic memory of the consumableitem and electronically writing the information to the electronic memorywithin the device.
 35. The method of regionalizing a manufactured deviceand consumable items utilized by the device of claim 34 , wherein thedevice further has an associated wireless communications link in datacommunication with the associated memory and the consumable items eachfurther comprise a wireless communications link in data communicationwith the electronic memory, and electronically reading the informationfrom the electronic memory of the consumable is accomplished over thewireless links.
 36. The method of regionalizing a manufactured deviceand consumable items utilized by the device of claim 32 , wherein theinformation retaining mechanism of each of the consumable items is anelectronic memory, the step of configuring the information retainingmechanism in a manner which uniquely identifies the region compriseswriting the region identification information to the electronic memory,and the step of transferring region identification information from theconsumable item to the electronic memory within the device includeselectronically reading the information from the electronic memory of theconsumable item.
 37. The method of regionalizing a manufactured deviceand consumable items utilized by the device of claim 36 , wherein thedevice further has an associated wireless communications link in datacommunication with the associated memory and the consumable items eachfurther comprise a wireless communications link in data communicationwith the electronic memory, and electronically reading the informationfrom the electronic memory of the consumable is accomplished over thewireless links.
 38. The method of regionalizing a manufactured deviceand consumable items utilized by the device of claim 32 , wherein thedevice has an associated user interface allowing messages to bedisplayed to a user and also allowing responses to be input by the user,and the step of declining the consumable comprises notifying the deviceuser of an incompatibility and requiring a specific response to be inputby the user.
 39. A method of regionalizing a manufactured device andconsumable items utilized by the device, the device having an associatedmemory and an associated user interface for receiving user input anddisplaying output, and the consumable items each having an informationretaining mechanism, comprising the steps of: a) providing fordistribution within the region consumable items each having theinformation retaining mechanism configured in a manner which uniquelyidentifies the region; then b) installing in the device a consumableitem having an information retaining mechanism configured for theregion; and then c) transferring the region identification informationfrom the consumable item information retaining mechanism to the memoryassociated with the device and storing the information therein.
 40. Themethod of regionalizing a manufactured device and consumable itemsutilized by the device of claim 39 , wherein the associated userinterface for receiving user input and displaying output is operable toreceive input and display out in a plurality of natural languages, andwherein the language used for input and output is selected based uponthe region identification information stored in memory.
 41. Areplaceable consumable component for use with a manufactured devicehaving a stored regional designation and operable to accept onlyconsumable components with the same regional designation, comprising: a)a radio frequency link for receiving information indicative of aparticular regional designation; and b) an electrical storage device forstoring information indicative of the particular regional designation,wherein the information is retrievable from the electrical storagedevice over the radio frequency link for indicating regional designationof the consumable component.
 42. The replaceable consumable component ofclaim 41 wherein the consumable component is for use with printingsystem, and the replaceable consumable item includes a reservoir forcontaining marking material.
 43. The replaceable consumable component ofclaim 42 wherein the replaceable consumable component is an ink jetprint cartridge.
 44. The replaceable consumable component of claim 42wherein the replaceable consumable component is a toner cartridge forprinting using an electrophotographic printing process.
 45. Thereplaceable consumable component of claim 41 wherein the radio frequencylinking device receives information in a serial fashion for storage inthe electrical storage device.
 46. The replaceable consumable componentof claim 41 wherein the electrical storage device is a semiconductormemory device.
 47. A method for storing information indicative of aparticular regional designation of a replaceable component of aplurality of regional designations of similar replaceable components,the method comprising: a) providing a radio frequency signal havinginformation contained therein indicative of the particular regionaldesignation of the replaceable component; and b) storing the informationindicative of the particular regional designation of the replaceablecomponent in a storage device associated with that item in response toreceiving the radio frequency signal.
 48. The method for storinginformation indicative of a particular regional designation of claim 47wherein providing a radio frequency signal having information containedtherein is accomplished by providing a radio frequency signal that ismodulated to encode information therein.
 49. The method for storinginformation indicative of a particular regional designation of claim 47wherein storing the information indicative of the particular regionaldesignation includes receiving information in a serial fashion forstorage in the storage device.
 50. The method for storing informationindicative of a particular regional designation of claim 47 wherein thestorage device is a semiconductor memory.
 51. The method for storinginformation indicative of a particular regional designation of claim 47further including retrieving the information indicative of theparticular regional designation for transmission to a regionalizedutilizing the replaceable component.